Compare and contrast three standardized tests related to your specialization
Compare and contrast three standardized tests related to your specialization based on Elements 1–4 of the Joint Committee on Testing Practices’ 2004 Code of Fair Testing Practices in Education (referred to hereafter as the Code). Record findings, references, and a robust rationale on a worksheet. Select one test for further analysis in Assessments 2–4.
This assessment requires you to focus on what will likely be a common task in your future career, regardless of the area of specialization you are studying at Capella: the review and selection of an appropriate, quality, standardized test. There are a multitude of published tests in the fields of education and psychology; many purport to measure the same constructs, content, or skills. Is there a checklist or procedure to help a professional make the best choice among those tests for a specific purpose? The answer is yes: It is the Code.
Although the Code addresses the roles of test developers and test users separately, you will be following the standards for test users and, specifically, the section on selecting tests (refer to page 5 of the Code, which is linked in the Required Resources). There are nine elements to consider when selecting a test. For this assessment, you will focus on the first four of these elements. You may choose to identify more than one category of interest, if it applies to your academic and professional goals.
Your first step is to identify a test category that is relevant to your academic and professional career goals. Refer to the List of Tests by Type document in the Required Resources, which provides your choice of tests by category for this assessment.
You will select a test category relevant to your professional training and goals. You will compare and contrast three tests from the category you choose in this assessment, selecting one test for in-depth analysis for the remaining three assessments in this course. For this, you will complete the following:
Access the Capella University Library and conduct a search using the MMY database to locate and read a review for each test. MMY is available on Database Guide: Mental Measurements Yearbook page (linked in the Suggested Resources). (Note: Do not access the Buros website directly from your web browser. If you do, Buros will request that you start an account to pay for the reviews. As a Capella learner, you can access these reviews without charge through the Capella library.)
Visit the publisher’s website for each test to obtain additional information.
Use the Capella library’s Databases A–Z: Psychology (linked in the Suggested Resources) to choose a database, for example, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, ERIC (education research), et cetera.
Search for peer-reviewed journal articles that are relevant to the four elements and each test. You can limit your search results by selecting journals only from the database.
Review the Required Resources from your Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing text before beginning this assessment.
INSTRUCTIONS
For this assessment, assume the role of a professional in a setting related to your specialization.
Use the List of Tests by Type document in the Suggested Resources to select three tests from one or two categories. Important: Select a test category that is relevant to your professional training and goals.
Be sure to use the Assessment 1 Template: Review and Selection of a Standardized Test worksheet in the Required Resources to complete this assessment.
Scenario
Your supervisor has assigned you the responsibility of reviewing and selecting a standardized test to be used in your setting. Knowing that you will be expected to provide an evidence-based rationale for your selection, construct a compare and contrast worksheet for your notes and prepare a summary of your analysis with academic references.
Record all information on the Assessment 1 Template: Review and Selection of a Standardized Test worksheet. There are three sections.
Section 1: Test Review Table
In this section:
Describe how the three selected tests and category are related to one’s area of specialization and career goal.
Identify a professional setting (specialization) and the three tests you researched and reviewed.
Select the three tests from a single category using the List of Tests by Type document. (You may select a test from two categories, if it aligns with your professional goals.) The List of Tests by Type document identifies the 10 categories you may choose from. They include (1) intelligence/cognitive abilities, (2) achievement/aptitude, (3) personality, (4) behavior, (5) adaptive behavior, (6) neuropsychological, (7) career/business/organization, (8) autism, (9) depression, and (10) preschool.
Findings
Compare and contrast the three selected tests according to Elements 1–4 of the Code. Use the element title as a subheading under Findings.
Define the purpose for testing, the content and skills to be tested, and the intended test takers for the three tests.
Element 1. “Define the purpose for testing, the content and skills to be tested, and the intended test takers” (Joint Committee on Testing Practices, 2004, p. 6; see point 1). Describe your findings for all three tests, citing references. Use this section to introduce each test and report on each of the three elements: purpose, content and skills, and intended test takers.
Describe the appropriateness of test content, skills tests, and content coverage for the intended purpose of testing for the three tests.
Element 2. Describe “the appropriateness of test content, skills tested, and content coverage for the intended purpose of testing” (Joint Committee on Testing Practices, 2004, p. 6; see point 2). Describe your findings for each test, citing references. Use this section to report on unique comments or research that evaluate any aspects of the appropriateness of each test. There may be a wide range of facets considering appropriateness that may be unique to each particular test under consideration.
Describe materials provided by test developers and whether the information provided is clear, accurate, and complete for the three tests.
Element 3. Describe “materials provided by test developers and select tests for which clear, accurate, and complete information is provided” (Joint Committee on Testing Practices, 2004, p. 6; see point 3). Describe your findings for each test, citing references. Use this section to describe either reviews or your evaluation of the materials described in the sources you locate for each test under consideration.
Analyze the level of professional knowledge, skills, and training required to administer and interpret the three tests.
Element 4. “Select tests through a process that includes persons with appropriate knowledge, skills, and training” (Joint Committee on Testing Practices, 2004, p. 6; see point 4). Include specific publisher information about test-user qualification (for example, Level A, B, or C; or other classification). Describe your findings for each test.
Section 2: Test Selection and Rationale
In this section:
Compare and contrast the three tests based on Elements 1–4 of the Code.
Recommend one test for further analysis, based on analysis of Elements 1–4 of the Code.
Select one of the three tests that is most applicable to your current professional setting or to a setting you may choose in the future. Provide a rationale for test selection.
Section 3: References
Add a minimum of nine references to support your analysis and rationale.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Your assessment should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Write clearly and logically, with correct use of spelling, grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and APA format and style.
References: A minimum of nine references are required for this assessment.
Three MMY test reviews from (one for each test).
Three test publisher websites (one for each test).
Three peer-reviewed journal articles (one for each test).
APA format: Follow current APA format and style throughout the assessment. Be sure to use correct format and style for each respective type of reference, for example, website versus journal).
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Answer preview Compare and contrast three standardized tests related to your specialization
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